Wearing the kilt in Scotland

[Jock Scot]

And now another question - along the same lines, but as they say, a bit different! What about tartans? Are there certain tartans that would raise someone's ire? Or are there 'generics' that would be safer? Also, how about non-tartan kilts, such as Utilikilts? There are any number of utility type kilts made by several companies that use khaki or black and such. Would these tend to be more or less accepted? There are also more 'modern' kilts that, besides using non-tartan materials, use more 'hardware'. They have caribiners and D-rings, etc. Any thoughts?

In seventy something years I have only ever seen one "utilikilt" style kilt in the wild and that was a couple of years ago right in the heart of the Highlands, worn by a visitor. They may be more common in the cities here, I dont know, but let me just say that I have not seen one in any Scottish city either. I think one of our Scottish members has one though.

Tartans? Are you talking about wearing kilts of different Clan tartans? Well, if you are moving from place to place then few will even notice that you are wearing the MacOnion tartan today, the MacKarrot tartan yesterday and the MacMany tartan the day before. But the wearing of one Clan tartan(perhaps in various hues, would be OK, but it does show a certain ostentation even so) is the usual way its done here.

As to D-rings etc. on the kilt, well, in my experience they are not common, but there are those that do have them.

The one thing to be avoided, please, please, PLEASE is the visitor two hour "tartan justification" lecture, with the faded picture of great uncle's second cousin's G-G-G _aunt, who married a Scotsman in Swansea(Wales) in 1856, therefore one is "entitled" to wear the MacKarrot tartan. It has the same effect on us locals as a shark swimming into a shoal of herring. I am sorry, but it does and it happens oh so regularly! It is no doubt very interesting for those directly involved, but.....................

If you want to wear a tartan kilt, just do it.

[Alan H]

In seventy something years I have only ever seen one "utilikilt" style kilt in the wild and that was a couple of years ago right in the heart of the Highlands, worn by a visitor. They may be more common in the cities here, I dont know, but let me just say that I have not seen one in any Scottish city either. I think one of our Scottish members has one though.

Tartans? Are you talking about wearing kilts of different Clan tartans? Well, if you are moving from place to place then few will even notice that you are wearing the MacOnion tartan today, the MacKarrot tartan yesterday and the MacMany tartan the day before. But the wearing of one Clan tartan(perhaps in various hues, would be OK, but it does show a certain ostentation even so) is the usual way its done here.

As to D-rings etc. on the kilt, well, in my experience they are not common, but there are those that do have them.

The one thing to be avoided, please, please, PLEASE is the visitor two hour "tartan justification" lecture, with the faded picture of great uncle's second cousin's G-G-G _aunt, who married a Scotsman in Swansea(Wales) in 1856, therefore one is "entitled" to wear the MacKarrot tartan. It has the same effect on us locals as a shark swimming into a shoal of herrings. I am sorry, but it does and it happens oh so regularly! It is no doubt very interesting for those directly involved, but..................... If you want to wear a tartan kilt, just do it.

Yes. This. It just makes sense. Thanks, Jock.

[Jock Scot]

------------- What about tartans? Are there certain tartans that would raise someone's ire? Or are there 'generics' that would be safer?----------

I am sorry, when reading through, I note that I missed this important question. It is actually a very good and pertinant question. Well done.

To Scotlands everlasting credit, assorted interclan atrocities and general skullduggery------ and they are numerous------- are really not an issue these days. It is wise though, to be aware of them and the significance of the Clan tartan, as silly comments are sometimes uttered, usually in the beer tent and I am afraid to say often by ignorant visitors who are unaware of the modern day situation here.

I have to say this and it is an honest observation that some potential visitors may not like, but it would do them well, very well, for them to consider the present situation as it is, rather than what they think it is. I also see the occasional comments on this website too, trying to perpetuate historical interclan angst. Let me assure everyone that these historical Clan feuds are not perpetuated in Scotland these days.

The Campbells and the MacDonalds, for example, do not hiss and spit at each other when passing in the street! Yes, they remember. Yes, they do not forget, but they have moved on. Its over. In passing, the same goes for the "Jacobite thing"----they lost----its over------- and it was over some three hundred years ago and those outwith Scotland need to remember that. Please.

[Father Bill]

Jock, your advice is equally useful in the world outwith Scotland as well as here on XMarks. No historical justifications nor enmities are needed.

[Jock Scot]

An after thought from the posts that I wrote yesterday.

If you as a visitor don a Clan tartan kilt in Scotland, you ARE demonstrating LOUD and CLEAR whose team you support, to many Scots. That may not be your intention, but you are nevertheless. Granted most Scots can probably only identify a handful of tartan, but one thing for certain sure, they can identify THEIR own!

You the visitor would be advised as a simple courtesy to know at least something about the tartan you are wearing, if asked and you probably won't! But if you do, one of three things will happen depending on your reply.

1. A broad smile.
2. A broad smile and a dram thrust into your hand.
3.The thought will be; "another one playing at being a Scot".

Remember that very few Scots are members of Xmarksthescot. They are not aware of the many and various other reasons for wearing the kilt and even more so, the many and various reasons for the tartans chosen by members on this website that are worn. After all, I still struggle with it after being a member here for 7 years, or so! Frankly, many (most?) Scots have absolutely no idea, or understanding, of the reasoning regarding kilts and tartan choices made by many members on this website. So please don't expect the Scots to have the same perspective as you on kilt matters.

Have fun.

[cessna152towser]

If you as a visitor don a Clan tartan kilt in Scotland, you ARE demonstrating LOUD and CLEAR whose team you support, to many Scots. That may not be your intention, but you are nevertheless. Granted most Scots can probably only identify a handful of tartan, but one thing for certain sure, they can identify THEIR own!

True indeed. I once had the misfortune to meet a very arrogant American wearing the same tartan as myself at a games, who when complemented on wearing the Cunningham tartan insisted it was the Robertson tartan and that I had no entitlement to wear it. I gave up trying to convince him.

The Campbells and the MacDonalds, for example, do not hiss and spit at each other when passing in the street! Yes, they remember. Yes, they do not forget, but they have moved on.

Very true. The Montgomeries and the Cunninghams had a hundred year feud of murder and burning down each others' homes yet in more recent times they intermarried and indeed the current Chief of Clan Cunningham is Sir John Christopher Foggo Montgomery Cunningham.

[JonathanB]

I wore my Cornish Hunting kilt all the time on my trip to Edinburgh. It was identified by staff at Kinloch Anderson and John Morrison. One lady complimented me on my kilt in contrast to the large number of polyviscose kilts hanging outside the shop we were standing by. She was sorry I wasn't wearing brogues. So I do now.

[Father Bill]

*snip* I once had the misfortune to meet a very arrogant American wearing the same tartan as myself at a games, who when complemented on wearing the Cunningham tartan insisted it was the Robertson tartan and that I had no entitlement to wear it. I gave up trying to convince him.*snip*

<<Sigh>> You can't fix "stupid," even with duct tape.

[Jock Scot]

<<Sigh>> You can't fix "stupid," even with duct tape.

In this case "action 3" applies!

[Sir William]

You the visitor would be advised as a simple courtesy to know at least something about the tartan you are wearing, if asked and you probably won't! But if you do, one of three things will happen depending on your reply.

1. A broad smile.
2. A broad smile and a dram thrust into your hand.
3.The thought will be; "another one playing at being a Scot".

Have fun.

I like to wear a kilt when I visit Scotland, part-time or full-time, depending on my mood and other circumstances. If asked, I explain that I'm of Scots descent, I like wearing a kilt, and it seems appropriate when in Scotland, even though I know most Scots do not wear a kilt, or least very seldom. More often than not, I get a "broad smile" and complimented for wearing it well. A surprising reply I receive quite often from many Scots is that they wished more men would wear kilts, and they usually thank me for wearing mine!

On one occasion, in a pub in Inverness, a group of Scots bought me a wee dram and kept it filled throughout the evening because they liked seeing a kilt. Despite my best efforts, I could not buy them a round in return. On a more recent trip, I received several wee drams at various hotels because someone liked seeing a kilt on the premises.

I'm sure there are those who look at me as "another Yank playing at being a Scot" but, as Jock points out, they are too polite a people to make an issue of it. Ironically, many people thought I was a Scot, until I started speaking.

And, as Jock also suggests, I only take one clan tartan, though I may take an additional kilt in a non-clan tartan if I plan to wear a kilt frequently. On my most recent trip I took my Leatherneck. Many asked what clan it was, and I explained it was the unofficial tartan of the US Marine Corps. Not unexpectedly, no Scot I encountered knew such a thing existed, but it led to pleasant discussions about kilts and US military tartans, and again, I received quite a few compliments.